Manchester united seal their first win in the UEFA Champions League group stage with an entertaining 2-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg at Old Trafford.

The first half saw United dominate possession and create many chances; despite Draxler causing one or two problems and Wolfsburg being particularly dangerous on the break.

And it was VfL Wolfsburg who drew first blood.

In the 5th minute, some deft passing on the edge of the Manchester United box created space for Max Kruse to pick out Daniel Caliguiri with a through ball who shot past David de Gea with his right foot. A split second before Kruse’s killer pass, three of the United back line stepped forward in an attempt to catch Caliguiri offside. Only Valencia was not in tune and played the striker onside.

Manchester United reacted positively. They took control of the game and created several chances with Mata, Rooney and Memphis all having shots saved or blocked.

On 33 minutes United were rewarded for their persistence by winning a penalty after a hand ball by Wolfsburg goal scorer Daniel Caliguiri. It was Mata who stepped up and he made no mistake in drawing United level; converting into the bottom left, sending Benaglio the wrong way.

The second half was full of promise for United fans and they were not let down when on 52 minutes, a reverse back-heel flick on the edge of the area from Mata dropped conveniently in front of Smalling who slid in and knocked the ball past Benaglio to put United 2-1 ahead.

Although the game ended with Manchester United winning 2-1, Wolfsburg, immediately began to push forward and test Manchester United’s defence. But there was no way through as the United back line remained resolute right up until the final whistle, allowing Wolfsburg only a handful of chances.

Manchester United, VfL Wolfsburg, PSV and CSKA all now have three points and a zero goal difference after two games.

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Manchester United got top of the Barclays Premier League after three goals and a clean sheet against Sunderland, at the Theatre of dreams.

Manchester United started the game with high tempo, creating several chances. However, Sunderland remained resilient in defence, holding United off for as long as possible.

The Black Cats rarely troubled de Gea in the Manchester United Goal with their best chance coming from a Lens shot on the 23rd minute that was saved by the United keeper.

Both Mata and Memphis had shots blocked by Cattermole and Pantilimon respectively. Martial also came close with a run in from the left which saw him dispossessed at the last minute but winning United a corner.

Despite the dominance from United and the chances they created, it looked like both sides were going to head in at half time with the score still 0-0.

But, in the 4th and final minute of injury time, Daley Blind played a perfect ball over the top finding Mata in space on the right side of the box. Mata then crossed the ball – some may argue it was a shot – across the face of the goal where Memphis slid in to push the ball into the back of the net.

Coming out in the second half, Manchester United hoped to pick up where they left off in the first half. And that, they did.

Just a minute into the second half Martial made easy work of passing the Sunderland defence on the right side of the box. Looking up, he plays the ball across the face of goal finding Rooney, who more or less ran into the ball, knocking it over the line for his first Premier League goal and United’s second in the match.

Sunderland then began to press a litte, having a 10 minute spell of possession. During this spell they came close when a perfectly weighted through ball found Patrick van Aanholt one-on-one with de Gea. The United keeper stood his ground and blocked van Aanholt’s shot.

This small threat from Sunderland was enough for United to regroup and take control of the game once more. Again United came forward playing some good football and finding shooting opportunities.

On 66 minutes, Martial and Memphis found themselves two against one with Martial in possession. The 19 year old Frenchman selflessly tucked the ball past the last defender into the path of Memphis. Memphis, one-on-one with Pantilimon, was unfortunately unable to seize his chance to score his second as he was only able to shoot straight at the Sunderland keeper.

Although it was never in doubt, the three points were wrapped up in the 90th minute when substitute Ashley Young picked out Mata in acres of space at the back post. Young fired a cross to Mata who’s first touch stopped the ball dead. With all the time in the world he rifled the ball into the top right corner.

With that win Manchester United are now back in familiar territory at the top of the league. But with a tough October facing them, will they stay there?

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Manchester United cruise into the fourth round of the Capital One cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town. Wayne Rooney, Andreas Pereira and Anthony Martial Provide the goals.

Manchester United were in complete control of the first half with some decent spells of passing and movement. But it was on the 22nd minute that their first real goal opportunity presented itself.

Daley Blind played a long, direct ball through the centre of the Ipswich defence, finding Rooney on the edge of the box. Rooney did well to bring the ball under control with his first touch, setting himself up to drill the ball through the keepers legs.

Manchester United continued to put pressure on the Ipswich back line with lots of one touch passing around the edge of the Ipswich penalty area. An opening was found when a rare, but clever lay off from Fellaini, allowed Mata to get a shot off which was saved by the keeper.

Ipswich Town were very quiet during the first 45 minutes with perhaps their best chance coming early on in the 9th minute when Herrera was forced to make a very important tackle deep inside the box to prevent a shot at goal.

At just one goal down, Ipswich came out in the second half full of belief. They put some early pressure on United creating chances on goal.

On 49 minutes Fellaini played a weak pass which resulted in an Ipswich player picking up the loose ball and whipping in a cross. Fortunately for Fellaini the cross come to nothing.

Manchester United quickly regained control of the game and were quick to increase their lead. On 58 minutes, Mata was brought down on the edge of the box winning a free kick in a dangerous position. Both Mata and Pereira lined up to take the kick. It was Pereira who struck, curling the ball up and over the wall then dipping into the bottom right corner.

United really found their rhythm again after this goal and began creating some chances with Mata, Martial (who was brought on as a sub) and Pereira all having shots saved or going narrowly wide.

Apart from the first ten minutes of the second half, Ipswich were very much like they were in the first; not having a great deal of joy in front of the Manchester United goal.

There was one scare, however, in the 83rd minute when it looked as though Ipswich might pull a goal back. But, Phil Jones (who also came on from the bench) was alert to the situation and stuck a foot out to dispossess the Ipswich attacker on the edge of the six yard box.

To seal the victory, Anthony Martial, staying true to form, made easy work of placing the ball past the Ipswich keeper at the far post in the 92nd minute. The 19 year old found himself on the end of a ball over the top after a deflection off Memphis. Showing his strength, he resisted the advances from an Ipswich defender and ended up one on one with the keeper. Everyone knew what was coming at this point and many United fans had already started celebrating.

Most of United’s control and dominance during this game was largely down to Bastian Schweinsteiger. Since joining the club he has proven to be a huge presence all over the pitch and today was no exception. He dictated the play very well and always found space to receive a pass.

It was also a great evening for Pereira. The youngster made his first competitive start for Manchester United under Louis van Gaal and bagged himself a goal.

You can also watch The United Stand’s match reaction video by clicking here or watching below.

A brace from Anthony Martial and a goal from Mata sealed the victory for the reds but, they were made to wait almost 20 minutes before their first chance at goal.

Southampton had dominated the first 20-30 minutes of the game, creating lots of chances and putting United on the back foot.

Among those chances came the first goal, scored by Pelle on the 12th minute. David De Gea palmed a close range shot from Mane into Pelle’s path and he cooly slotted home to De Gea’s right, from 12 yards out.

Southampton continued to apply pressure. Including when they weren’t in possession of the ball. However, a brief moment of pressure from United, late in the first half, led to a scrap in the box and the ball fell kindly to Martial. Remaining composed, he turned and tucked the ball into the Southampton goal on 34 minutes.

This was a turning point in the game as Manchester United began to press, in search for a second, before half time.

The second half was a different story. Southampton, who were very well organised and disciplined in the first half seemed to drop off and allow Manchester United to come at them.

And it didn’t take long for United to take the lead. In the 50th minute Martial pounced onto a weak back pass from Yoshida and found himself one-on-one with Stekelenburg. Sending him the wrong way, Martial calmly placed the ball in the far corner.

The following ten minutes saw Southampton attempt to fight. By playing some quick football and running at the United defence, they searched for an equaliser. But this came to nothing and instead it was Manchester United who grabbed the next goal. Memphis cut in from the right and rifled a shot against the post. The ball then fell to Mata who was quickest to react and hit it first time to score and put United 3-1 up.

Now credit to Southampton as they gave united a scare and something to think about when on the 85th minute, Pelle found some space in the middle of the box to head his second goal of the game from a Sadio Mane cross.

Southampton continued to push forward until the final whistle having several shots either blocked by De Gea or going fractionally wide.